Shouting is part and parcel of being an officer. You have to shout across a ship in bad weather, over guns, over the sounds of battle. Orders must be heard over whatever din there is aboard ship, but James has always favoured cold anger, quiet and cold. It seems less passionate, but that is not the case.
He is not angry at Horatio. Worried, frightened, yes but not angry. All his spite at the moment is saved for the pirates who ran false colours, who used the colours of the king to kill and maim his loyal servants, who dare to sail around the colonies as if it is their right.
This time Horatio moves, James' hand is not required to push him back into the bed, but his hand moves to the young man's shoulder even so. It's a weight meant not only to keep him still, but also to make him realise the gravity of his injuries.
It does not strike him at the moment that they are clinging to each other, holding tight like a man to driftwood.
"No, Horatio, they won't. You need to stay and rest, and recover. I saw the splinters they took out of you, and I can not condone you getting out of bed for several days. If you try I will demote you personally."
He says, and then he leans in, and for the first time in what feels like months, presses a kiss to Horatio's lips. "You are not to die, understood?"
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-06-05 03:57 am (UTC)He is not angry at Horatio. Worried, frightened, yes but not angry. All his spite at the moment is saved for the pirates who ran false colours, who used the colours of the king to kill and maim his loyal servants, who dare to sail around the colonies as if it is their right.
This time Horatio moves, James' hand is not required to push him back into the bed, but his hand moves to the young man's shoulder even so. It's a weight meant not only to keep him still, but also to make him realise the gravity of his injuries.
It does not strike him at the moment that they are clinging to each other, holding tight like a man to driftwood.
"No, Horatio, they won't. You need to stay and rest, and recover. I saw the splinters they took out of you, and I can not condone you getting out of bed for several days. If you try I will demote you personally."
He says, and then he leans in, and for the first time in what feels like months, presses a kiss to Horatio's lips. "You are not to die, understood?"